Localized heat treatment

ABSTRACT

Embodiments are described herein of a bifurcated heat treatment apparatus and methods for localized heat treatment of a golf club hosel or golf club head. The heat treating method comprises a bifurcated process in which the golf club head is treated in the first heating unit via induction heating and then moved to the second heating unit for convection heating. Both steps are to localize the hosel heat treatment. The heat treatment apparatus may also include a cooling component, such as a heat sink, to ensure the body of the club head remains at the correct temperature during the second heating stage when the hosel is heated in isolation. The overall bifurcated method and apparatus of the localized heat treatment leads to a hosel or golf club head with at least two different hardness values to allow for manipulation of the material without cracking or fracturing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/680,958filed on Aug. 18, 2017, which claims the benefit to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 62/376,836, filed on Aug. 18, 2016, which isincorporated fully herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Fitting a golf iron is a key aspect in a golfers program to generate arepeatable swing for optimal ball striking. Face loft angles are createdby bending the golf club head at the hosel. Currently, golfmanufacturers use a notch or bend the hosel without a notch for loftadjustments. Notch sizes vary between clubs and new club designs,thereby making the uniform adjustment of clubs difficult. Using a notchto adjust loft angle also reduces the possible configurations of a hoseldesign. Directly bending the hosel without the inclusion of a notch is asimpler and more reproducible method of adjustment. However, if thehosel material is not properly treated when casted and forged, the loftadjustments can result in fractures or cracks in the hosel of the golfclub head. Therefore, there is a need in the art for a more optimalhosel adjustment feature without a structural modification.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

For simplicity and clarity of illustration, the drawing figuresillustrate the general manner of construction, and descriptions anddetails of well-known features and techniques may be omitted to avoidunnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. Additionally, elementsin the drawing figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help improve understanding of embodimentsof the present disclosure. The same reference numerals in differentfigures denote the same elements.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a golf club head.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the golf club head.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a localized heat treatment process.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of an apparatus used during the localizedheat treatment process.

FIG. 5 is a split view of a cooling block.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the golf club head having a heat sink.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary stress-strain curve illustrating the relationshipbetween brittle and ductile materials.

Other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein is a bifurcated heat treatment process including afirst heating step and a second heating step with little to no coolingtime between the first and second heating steps. The second heating stepis configured to slowly cool the metal to room temperature. The processallows a manufacturer to meet loft adjustment standards whilemaintaining a stiffer face hardness. To achieve a club head with twodifferent hardness areas (i.e. the face, cavity, body vs. hosel) havingtwo different hardness values, a bifurcated, or segregated heatingprocess is required wherein localized heat treatments are isolated tothe hosel region over at least another portion of the golf club head.For example, as discussed in greater detail below, the impact area ofthe face can have a hardness value of HRC 38 or greater on the Rockwellscale. The hosel, in contrast, can have a hardness value of HRC 32 orless to enable loft adjustments based upon the specifications of agolfer determined during a fitting process. To achieve two differenthardness values within these ranges on a single club head, a bifurcatedheat treatment process can include using a furnace apparatus comprisingtwo separate heat curing steps. The present invention achieves the goalof a high strength face having a hardness value greater than HRC 38, anda hosel having a hardness value less than HRC 32, with or without anotch for adjustment.

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its applicationto the details of construction and the arrangement of components setforth in the following description or illustrated in the followingdrawings. The disclosure is capable of other embodiments and of beingpracticed or of being carried out in various ways.

FIGS. 1-2 illustrate a golf club head 10 at an address position relativeto a ground plane 26. The golf club head 10 includes a body 12 and ahosel 14 containing a bore 16 for receiving one end of a golf club shaft(not shown). The hosel 14 includes a hosel plane 20 extending throughthe center of the bore 16. The body 12 also includes a strike face 18having a loft plane 22, which extends across the surface of the strikeface 18. Further, the hosel 14 of the golf club head 10 can comprise anotch 30 such as the notch described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,186,903, whichis incorporated herein by reference. Additionally, the strike face 18 ofthe golf club head 10 can include one or more grooves such as thegrooves describe in U.S. Pat. No. 8,790,193, which is incorporatedherein by reference.

One manner for adjusting the loft angle 24 of the club head 10, isbending the club head using the hosel 14 as the focal point. Tofacilitate the bending process, the hosel 14 can be manufactured to havea different hardness value than that of the strike face 18.

I) Localized Heat Treatment Process

The present invention is directed to a bifurcated heat treating processincluding a first heating step and a second heating step. The firstheating step comprising induction heating. The second heating stepcomprising electric or conventional heating to achieve the desiredhardness values of the club head.

A) Induction Heating

The first step utilizes induction heating, which generates analternating magnetic field penetrating the club head, creating a currentwithin the metal. The current excites the atoms within the metalresulting in generation of heat. This method requires no contact withthe club head and can provide a precise localized area to generate heatin the within the club head. The precision of induction heating cancreate an uneven molecular structure and result in weaknesses at certainpoints. Therefore, care is required to provide proper heat treatment tothe hosel. This includes, the lack of a cooling step for the club headbetween the induction heating step to the electrical or conventionalheating step.

B) Electrical or Conventional Heating

The second step is a more general application of heat through electricor conventional heating. Electric heating functions by runningelectricity through a metal comprising a high resistance value, causingthe metal to emit heat. The golf club is positioned adjacent to theelectric heater and receives heat through convection. The electricheater can also be applied to a localized area of the golf club head.Electrical or conventional heating it is not as precise as inductionheating. The electric heater can create a temperature gradient that canslowly cool the club head from the end temperature of the inductionheating step to room temperature or a predetermined final temperature ofthe second heating step over just allowing a heat treated club to coolto room temperature with no additional heat added. The electric orconventional heater allows the molecular structure of the club head tocreate a uniform structure, growing grain larger grain structures withinthe matrix of the metal, eliminating and weakness points created duringthe induction heating step.

C) Overall Heat Treatment Step

i) Casting/Forging

FIG. 3 illustrates a localized heat treatment process 100 for formingthe golf club head 10 having different hardness values for the hosel 14and the body 12 or strike face 18. With reference to FIG. 3 , thelocalized heat treatment process 100 includes a first step 101 offorming a golf club head 10. The golf club head 10 is formed, forexample, by machining, forging, casting, metal injection molding or anyother appropriate processes known to those skilled in the art. Exemplaryprocesses for stainless steel club heads includes a casting step, usingsolvent solution and aging heat treatment, and localized heat treatmentfor the hosel. Other exemplary processes for carbon steel include acasting step, quench and tempering heat treatment, followed by a partialheat treatment of the hosel 14.

ii) Induction Heating Step

The golf club head 10 formed with a method described above can betransferred to the first heat treatment step. With reference to FIGS. 3and 4 , the localized heat treatment process 100 further includes asecond step 102 of placing the golf club head 10 in a first heating unit51 located at a first position 71, and a third step 103 of positioningthe golf club head 10 such that the hosel 14 is located within a firstlocalized heating area 61 of the first heating unit 51. In manyembodiments, the golf club head 10 can be manually or automaticallyplaced in the first heating unit 51, and manually or automaticallypositioned such that the hosel 14 is positioned within the firstlocalized heating area 61. Specific devices and automated methods usedto position the golf club head 10 are described further below.

Referring again to FIG. 3 , the localized heat treatment process 100includes a fourth step 104 of heating the hosel 14 within the firstlocalized heating area 61 of the first heating unit 51. In manyembodiments, the hosel 14 can be heated for approximately 10 minutes. Inother embodiments, the hosel may be heated within the range ofapproximately 5-60 minutes, 5-10 minutes, 5-15 minutes, 5-20 minutes,10-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 1-2 hours, 1-3 hours, or 1-6 hours. Inmany embodiments, the first localized heating area 61 can range intemperature from approximately 600° C. to 1000° C. In other embodiments,the temperature of the first localized heating area 61 can beapproximately 1000° C., 950° C., 900° C., 850° C., 800° C., 750° C.,700° C., 650° C., or 600° C. For example, in one embodiment, the firstlocalized heating area 61 can have a temperature of 800° C. In someembodiments, the body 12 or strike face 18 can comprise components toregulate the temperature of the body 12 or strike face 18 while thehosel 14 is being heat treated, these components are described in moredetail below.

iii) Transferring Club Head Step

The golf club head 10 can be removed and transferred to the secondheating step. Referring again to FIG. 3 , the localized heat treatment100 further comprises a fifth step 105 of removing the golf club head 10from the first heating unit 51, and a sixth step 106 including placingthe golf club head 10 in a second heating unit 52 at a second position72 located adjacent to the first position 71. The club head 10 istransferred directly from the first heating unit 51 to the secondheating unit 52 with little to no cooling time. As discussed above andin more detail below, the lack of a cooling step in between heatingsteps promotes the growth of grain structures within the matrix of thematerial. In many embodiments, the golf club head 10 can be manually orautomatically removed from the first heating unit 51, and manually orautomatically transferred to the second heating step. Specific devicesand automated methods used to position the golf club head 10 aredescribed further below.

iv) Conventional Heating Step

A seventh step 107 comprises positioning the golf club head 10 such thatthe hosel 14 is positioned within a second localized heating area 62 ofthe second heating unit 52. In many embodiments, the golf club head 10can be manually or automatically placed in the second heating unit 52and manually or automatically positioned such that the hosel 14 ispositioned within the second localized heating area 62. Specific devicesand automated methods used to position the golf club head 10 aredescribed further below.

Referring to FIG. 3 , the localized heat treatment process 100 includesan eighth step 108 wherein the hosel 14 is heated within the secondlocalized heating area 62 of the second heating unit 52. The secondlocalized heating area 62 of the second heating unit 52 can begin at thesame temperature as describe for the first heating unit 51 describedabove. However, the temperature of the second heating unit 52 candecrease over a period of time while the hosel 14 is located within thesecond localized heating area 62. In many embodiments, the secondlocalized heating area 62 can have a first temperature in the range of600° C. to 1000° C. and a final temperature in the range of 0° C. to1000° C. In some embodiments, the first temperature of the secondlocalized heating area 62 can be approximately 1000° C., 950° C., 900°C., 850° C., 800° C., 750° C., 700° C., 650° C., or 600° C. and thefinal temperature can be approximately 0° C., 100° C., 200° C., 300° C.,400° C., 500° C., 600° C., 700° C., 800° C., or 900° C. This decrease intemperature over a period of time allows the metal to cool at a slowerpace creating a larger uniform grain structure within the matrix of themetal. In many embodiments, the hosel 14 can be heated for approximately10 minutes. In other embodiments, the hosel may be heated within therange of approximately 5-60 minutes, 5-10 minutes, 5-15 minutes, 5-20minutes, 10-30 minutes, 30-60 minutes, 1-2 hours, 1-3 hours, 1-6 hours,6-12 hours, or 12-24 hours. For example, in some embodiments, the secondlocalized heating area 62 can begin at a temperature of 800° C. andfinish at a temperature of 20° C. and the change in temperature canoccur over a 30 minute period. In some embodiments, the body 12 orstrike face 18 can comprise components to regulate the temperature ofthe body 12 or strike face 18 while the hosel 14 is being heat treated,these component are described in more detail below.

-   -   v) Removing the Club Head from the Heat Treatment Process

Referring again to FIG. 3 , the localized heat treatment process 100comprises a ninth step 109 including removing the golf club head 10 fromthe second heating unit. In many embodiments, the golf club head 10 canbe manually or automatically removed from the second heating unit 52.Specific devices and automated methods used to position the golf clubhead 10 are described further below.

II) Resulting Hardness/Grain Structure

As a result from the localized heat treatment process 100 describe indetail above, a golf club head 10 is created having two differenthardness areas, (i.e. the strike face 18, cavity, body 12 vs. hosel 14)having two different hardness values. The localized heat treatmentprocess 100 discusses using a bifurcated heat treatment process whereinthe first heating step applies a precise heat treatment to the hosel 14and a direct transition with little to no cooling time to the secondheating step. The second heating step involves a temperature gradientover a predetermined time period to slowly cool the metal. Slowlycooling the metal promotes the growth of uniform large grain structureswithin the matrix of the metal. The larger the grain structures within ametal, the more ductile that metal is. Ductile is a term used todescribe the ability to permanently or plastically deform a materialbefore the material fractures or cracks. This means that the hosel 14created through the localized heat treatment process 100, having a largegrain structure and a high ductility, is less likely to fracture, orcrack when compared with a brittle material. Brittle materials having asmall grain structure can result from rapidly cooling the metal orallowing the metal to cool at a constant room temperature have highermaximum strengths but tend to fracture or crack rather than bend. Abrittle material is proven to be beneficial for the strike face 18 ofthe club head 10 as it has a high strength when impacting the ball andwill not bend. FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary stress-strain curve,which illustrates the relationship between brittle and ductilematerials. The brittle material has a greater strength, but fracturesrather than bends when a stress greater than its yield strength isapplied, as mentioned this is beneficial for a strike face 18. A ductilematerial has a large region wherein the metal will bend (plasticdeformation) prior to fracturing, beneficial to for the hosel 14allowing a manufacturer to apply a specified loft without fracturing themetal.

As describe above it is beneficial to have a softer more ductile hosel14, and a harder more brittle strike face 14. The localized heattreatment process 100 focuses the treatment on the hosel 14 creating aclub head 10 having a softer more ductile hosel 14, and a harder morebrittle strike face 18. This process 100 can be applied to any type ofmetal club head. In many embodiments, the golf club head 10 can comprisea steel alloy, a carbon steel alloy, a titanium alloy, a composite orany other suitable material. In other embodiments the club head cancomprise a 17-4 steel alloy, a 431 steel alloy, a carbon steel alloy, ora chromium-molybdenum steel alloy. Further, the hardness of the finishedmaterials can vary. In many embodiments, the process can create a hosel14 having a hardness value of HRC 32 or below on the Rockwell scale anda strike face 18 having hardness value of HRC 38 or above on theRockwell scale. In other embodiments, the hosel 14 can have a hardnessvalue of HRC 32, HRC 30, HRC 28, HRC 26, HRC 24, HRC 22, HRC 20, or HRC18, while the strike face 18 can have a hardness value of HRC 38, HRC40, HRC 42, HRC 44, HRC 46, HRC 48, or HRC 50. For example, in someembodiments, the hosel can have a hardness value of HRC 24, and thestrike face 18 can have a hardness value of HRC 42. Table 1 illustratesthe desired temperatures for a variety of exemplary metals to reach thedesired hardness level. In many embodiments, referring to Table 1 below,a 17-4 steel alloy can be heated in the temperature range ofapproximately 740-860° C., 740-780° C., 780-820° C., or 820-860° C.Further, in many embodiments, referring to Table 1 below, a 431 steelalloy, a carbon steel alloy, or a chromium-molybdenum steel alloy can beheated to a temperature between 640-800° C., 640-680° C., 680-720° C.,720-760° C., or 760-800° C.

TABLE 1 Exemplary club head materials, heat treatment temperatures, andhardness values Materials Temperature (° C.) Hosel Hardness (HRC) 17-4Steel Alloy 740~860 22~34 431 Steel Alloy 640~800 16~28 Carbon Steel640~800 10~25 Cr—Mo Steel Alloy 640~800 10~25

Having a softer more ductile hosel 14 allows the manufacturer theability to more consistently and confidently apply a specified loft to agolfer's clubs. The manufacturer may apply a loft angle 24 to a clubhead by bending the club head 10 at a point on the hosel 14. Withfurther reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the golf club head 10 comprises aloft angle 24 defined as the angle between the hosel plane 20 and theloft plane 22. In many embodiments, the loft angle 24 of the golf clubhead 10 can range from 10 degrees to 80 degrees. In some embodiments,the loft angle 24 can be less than or equal to approximately 80 degrees,75 degrees, 70 degrees, 65 degrees, 60 degrees, 55 degrees, 50 degrees,45 degrees, 40 degrees, 35 degrees, 30 degrees, 25 degrees, or 20degrees. For example, in other embodiments, the loft angle 24 can be 60degrees.

III) Localized Heat Treatment Apparatus

An apparatus comprising a first heating unit 51 and a second heatingunit 52 can be used to perform the localized heat treating process 100,creating the golf club head 10, describe above. With reference to FIG. 4, an apparatus 300 is illustrated, which can be used to perform thelocalized heat treatment process 100. The apparatus 300 comprises afirst heating unit 51 located at a first position 71 configured toperform a first type of heat treatment and a second heat treatment unit52 located at a second position 72 adjacent to the first heat treatmentunit 51 and configured to perform a second type of heat treatment. Both,the first and the second heat treatment units 51,52 include localizedheat areas focused on the hosel 14 of the golf club head 10.

With additional reference to FIG. 4 , the first heating unit 51 can bean induction heater comprising a power supply 55 and a coiled tube 56.The coiled tube 56 can be coupled to the power supply 55 at a first end58 and a second end 59. The area inside the coiled tube 56 can definethe first localized heating area 61. The power supply 55 can beconfigured to send an electric current ranging from 50 to 450 kHzthrough the coiled tube 56. In many embodiments, the coiled tube 56 cancomprise a copper wire. In other embodiments, the coiled tube 56 cancomprise a different metal having a low resistance, such as silver,gold, aluminum or any other suitable metal. In other embodiments, thefirst heating unit 51 can comprise an electric heater, a laser heater, abatch heater or any other suitable heater known to a person skilled inthe art.

The second heating unit 52 can be an electric heater comprising a firstheating element 65 and a second heating element 66. The first heatingelement 65 and the second heating element 66 are parallel and spacedapart from each other, the area between the two heating elements 65,66defines the second localized heating area 72. In some embodiments, thesecond heating unit 52 can comprise a first separation piece 76 and asecond separation piece 78. The first and second separation pieces 76,78can extend perpendicularly and be positioned below the first and secondheating elements 65,66 further defining the second localized heatingarea 62. In many embodiments, the heating elements are comprised of anichrome material. In other embodiments, the heating elements maycomprise a different material having a high resistance, such as a PTCrubber, PTC ceramic elements, cupronickel or any other material having ahigh electrical resistance. In other embodiments, the second heatingunit 52 can comprise an induction heater, a laser heater, a batch heateror any other suitable heater known to a person skilled in the art.

In other embodiments, the apparatus 300 can comprise 3 or more heatingunits. Further, the heating units can be configured to receive aplurality of club head 10 at a time.

IV) Devices and Automated Methods to Position the Golf Club Head

As discussed above the localized heat treatment process 100 can includethe golf club head 10 being manually or automatically placed in thesecond heating unit 52 and manually or automatically positioned suchthat the hosel 14 is positioned within the second localized heating area62. Different devices can be used to accomplish these steps. WithReference to FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some embodiments, the second step 102can comprise placing the golf club head 10 in a device 40. The thirdstep 103 can comprise placing the device 40 in the first heating unit51. Additionally, the fifth step 105 can comprise removing the devicefrom the first heating unit, the sixth step 106 can comprise placing thedevice 40 in the second heating unit 52, and the seventh step 107comprising positioning the hosel 14 in the second localized heating area62 is no longer necessary as the device is configured to position thehosel 14 in the correct position. In some embodiments, the device 40utilizes a clamping mechanism. In other embodiments, the device can usea restraining mechanism, such as a strapping mechanism, a pinchingmechanism, a magnetic mechanism or any other suitable restrainingmechanism.

In yet another embodiment, the device 40 can be coupled to a conveyorbelt 90 configured to transfer the device from the first heating unit 51to the second heating unit 52. In some embodiments, the conveyor beltwill move the golf club head 10 into the first and second heating units51,52 and remain stationary for the allotted heating time period. Inother embodiments, the first heating unit 51 will move with the conveyorbelt for a pre-determined distance corresponding with the heating timerequired for the hosel 14 to reach the desired hardness. Further, thesecond heating unit 52 can comprise an elongated localized heating area62 wherein there is a temperature gradient across its length. The firstend of the second heating unit 52 can be a first temperature and thesecond end of the second heating unit 52 can be the final temperature,discussed above. The conveyor belt 90 can move the device 40 includingthe golf club head 10 along the length of the second heating unit 52 ata certain pace corresponding with the heating time required for thehosel 14 to reach the desired hardness.

V) Cooling Components for Golf Club Head Body or Strike Face

As discussed above, the heat treating process 100 can include componentsto regulate the temperature of the body 12 or strike face 18 while thehosel 14 is being heat treated. Referring to FIG. 5 , in one embodiment,the body 12 can comprise a cooling block 200 configured to transfer heataway from the body 12 during the localized heat treatment process 100.The cooling block 200 is molded to cover the entire body 12 and iscomprised of a material having a high thermal conductivity. In manyembodiments, the cooling block 200 can be comprised of copper, silver,aluminum or any other suitable material. For example, in someembodiments, the cooling block 200 is comprised of copper. Additionally,in many embodiments, the cooling block 200 can comprise channels 202configured to have a coolant pumped through the cooling block 202 tofurther increase the quantity of heat being transferred from the body12. In many embodiments, the coolant can be water, air, hydrogen, freonor any other suitable coolant. For example, in some embodiments, thecoolant is water.

Referring to FIG. 6 , in another embodiment, a heat sink 210 isillustrated. The heat sink 210 is configured to be removably coupled tothe strike face 18 during the localized heat treating process 100. Whilethe hosel 14 is being heat treated to achieve a desired hardness levelthe heat sink 210 can be positioned on the strike face 18 to furtherdisplace unwanted heat from the strike face 18. Additionally, the heatsink 210 can have a plurality of fins 212 extending opposite the strikeface 18. The fins 212 can aid to remove heat by creating a greatersurface area for a convection process to occur. In many embodiments, thefins can have circular, triangular, rectangular or any other suitableshape. For example, in some embodiments, the fins can have a circularcross-section. The fins 212 can comprise any height within the range of0.01″ to 5″ from the surface of the heat sink 210. Further, the heatsink 210 can comprise a circulating system 214 configured to have acoolant pumped through the heat sink 210 to increase the effect that theheat sink 210 has on displacing unwanted heat from the strike face 18.In many embodiments, the coolant can be water, air, hydrogen, freon orany other suitable coolant. For example, in some embodiments, thecoolant is water.

Replacement of one or more claimed elements constitutes reconstructionand not repair. Additionally, benefits, other advantages, and solutionsto problems have been described with regard to specific embodiments. Thebenefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element or elementsthat may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or becomemore pronounced, however, are not to be construed as critical, required,or essential features or elements of any or all of the claims.

As the rules to golf may change from time to time (e.g., new regulationsmay be adopted or old rules may be eliminated or modified by golfstandard organizations and/or governing bodies such as the United StatesGolf Association (USGA), the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews(R&A), etc.), golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, andarticles of manufacture described herein may be conforming ornon-conforming to the rules of golf at any particular time. Accordingly,golf equipment related to the apparatus, methods, and articles ofmanufacture described herein may be advertised, offered for sale, and/orsold as conforming or non-conforming golf equipment. The apparatus,methods, and articles of manufacture described herein are not limited inthis regard.

While the above examples may be described in connection with aniron-type golf club, the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacturedescribed herein may be applicable to other types of golf club such as adriver-type golf club, a fairway wood-type golf club, a hybrid-type golfclub, a wedge-type golf club, or a putter-type golf club. Alternatively,the apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture described herein maybe applicable other type of sports equipment such as a hockey stick, atennis racket, a fishing pole, a ski pole, etc.

Moreover, embodiments and limitations disclosed herein are not dedicatedto the public under the doctrine of dedication if the embodiments and/orlimitations: (1) are not expressly claimed in the claims; and (2) are orare potentially equivalents of express elements and/or limitations inthe claims under the doctrine of equivalents.

Various features and advantages of the disclosure are set forth in thefollowing claims.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for heat treating a golf clubcomprising: casting a golf club head configured to undergo a heattreatment comprising an apparatus; wherein the apparatus defines a firstheating unit at a first position and a second heating unit at a secondposition adjacent the first position, a conveyor belt, a hoselpositioning device, and a heat sink; placing the golf club head in thefirst heating unit, wherein the first heating unit is an inductionheater comprising a first localized heating area; positioning the golfclub head using a hosel positions device that is coupled to a conveyorbelt, such that a hosel of the golf club head is located inside thefirst localized heating area within a coiled tube and a body of the golfclub head is located outside of the first localized heating area of theinduction heater; heating the hosel using the coiled tube comprising afirst end and a second end coupled to a power supply within the firstlocalized heating area of the induction heater for approximately 10minutes; removing the golf club head from the induction heater;transferring the hosel positioning device immediately by means of aconveyor belt from the first heating unit at the first position to asecond localized heating area at the second position; moving the golfclub head to the second heating unit by means of the conveyor belt,wherein the second heating unit is a resistive heater comprising thesecond localized heating area; positioning the golf club head using thehosel positioning device such that the hosel of the golf club head islocated within the second localized heating area of the resistive heaterand the body of the golf club head is located outside the secondlocalized heating area; heating the hosel within the second localizedheating area of the resistive heater for approximately 10 minutes; andremoving the golf club head from the resistive heater.
 2. The method forheat treating of claim 1 wherein, the first and second heating unitshave temperature ranges of approximately 740-860° C. for a 17-4 steelalloy or approximately 640-800° C. for a 431 steel alloy, carbon steelalloy, or Chromium-Molybdenum steel alloy.
 3. The method for heattreating of claim 1 wherein, the resistive heater of the second heatingunit further comprises: a first heating element; and a second heatingelement positioned parallel to the first heating element wherein thesecond localized heating area is located between the first heatingelement and the second heating element.
 4. The method for heat treatingof claim 1 wherein, the resistive heater of the second heating unitfurther comprises: a first separation piece extending perpendicularlyand below a first heating element; and a second separation pieceextending perpendicularly and below a second heating element; wherein:the hosel positioning device is configured to position the hosel of thegolf club head between the first and second heating elements and abovethe first and second separation pieces such that the body of the golfclub head is separated from the hosel and the first and second heatingelements.
 5. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, a firstheating element and a second heating element are comprised of a materialselected a group consisting of a PTC rubber, a PTC ceramic element, andcupronickel.
 6. The method for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, thecoiled tube is comprised of copper.
 7. The method for heat treating ofclaim 1 wherein, the power supply sends an electric current ranging from50 to 450 kHz through the coiled tube.
 8. The method for heat treatingof claim 1, wherein the first heating unit moves from a first point to asecond point at the same pace as the conveyor belt, the second heatingunit comprising an extended length.
 9. The method for heat treating ofclaim 1, the second heating unit comprises a temperature gradient acrosslength of the heater.
 10. The method for heat treating of claim 1wherein, the hosel positioning device is a clamping device.
 11. Themethod for heat treating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink is configuredto be removable coupled to the body of the golf club head in the firstheating unit and the second heating unit.
 12. The method for heattreating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink comprises a channelconfigured have a coolant pumped through the channel.
 13. The method forheat treating of claim 10 wherein, the heat sink comprises a circulatingsystem configured have a coolant pumped through the heat sink.
 14. Themethod for heat treating of claim 10 wherein, a coolant is from a groupconsisting of water, air, hydrogen, and freon.
 15. The method for heattreating of claim 1 wherein, the heat sink comprises fins.
 16. Themethod for heat treating of claim 15 wherein, the fins have a shapeselected from a group consisting of triangle, circular, and rectangular.